-Hamilton: Poor Finish in Las Vegas – A ‘Terrible’ Season?
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Lewis Hamilton Reflects on Disappointing 2023 F1 Season After Las Vegas Grand Prix
Table of Contents
Race Recap: Hamilton’s Climb and Final Position
Lewis Hamilton expressed profound disappointment despite a spirited drive in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Starting from 19th place (after qualifying 20th and benefitting from a penalty to Yuki Tsunoda), Hamilton climbed to fifth during the 50-lap race before ultimately finishing eighth. He initially crossed the line in 10th, but gained positions due to the disqualification of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Despite the progress made during the race, Hamilton remained critical of his overall performance this season. “I feel terrible. Terrible,” Hamilton stated. “It’s been the worst season for me ever. No matter how much I try,it just keeps getting worse.”
A Season of Unfulfilled Expectations
Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari was heralded as a potentially championship-winning combination. Though, the 2023 season has fallen far short of expectations. Neither Hamilton nor his teammate, charles Leclerc, have secured a race win. This lack of success prompted strong criticism from Ferrari executive chairman John Elkann following the Brazilian Grand prix, where both drivers failed to finish.
Elkann’s pointed remark – “it’s important that our drivers focus on driving and talk less” – underscores the pressure on the Ferrari team and its drivers to deliver results. The team’s performance has also impacted their position in the constructors’ championship.
Constructors’ Championship Implications
ferrari’s struggles have resulted in a drop in the constructors’ standings.They fell from second to fourth place after the brazilian Grand Prix and remain in fourth position with two races remaining: Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The constructors’ championship is crucial for financial rewards and prestige within Formula 1.
| constructors’ championship Standings (as of Nov 18, 2023) |
|---|
| Red Bull Racing |
| McLaren |
| Mercedes |
| Ferrari |
| aston Martin |
Qualifying Struggles and Race Start
Hamilton’s weekend began with a disappointing qualifying session, where he secured 20th and last place on the grid. He moved up to 19th after Yuki Tsunoda received a penalty for making unauthorized modifications to his car. This challenging starting position forced Hamilton to fight through the field during the race.
The qualifying result highlighted ongoing issues with the Ferrari car’s setup and performance,particularly in single-lap pace. Hamilton has consistently struggled to extract the maximum potential from the car during qualifying sessions throughout the season.